Untold Damage

Vanaheim

The Doctor sat on a log in front of a roaring campfire. He held his hands out towards the flames for warmth "this is nice. Isn't it nice? Roaring campfire, a sky full of stars and a sullen, silent companion to chat to. Do you know what would make this even nicer? Smores".

He turned to his quiet companion seated near him on the log "have you got any marshmallows? No?" He took a silver case out of his jacket pocket and held it out to the silent man "how about a jelly baby then?"

The warrior Hogun frowned at the Doctor "do you always talk this much Time Lord?"

"It rather depends to the regeneration. Should have seen me a few regenerations ago – I never shut up". The Doctor jiggled the case of jelly babies "are you sure you don't want one? You'll like them. Everybody likes jelly babies".

"Those who talk too much never have anything of true value to say" Hogun said stiffly.

The Doctor put his case of jelly babies away, "that's the opinion of someone who doesn't truly listen".

Hogun glared at the Doctor and said nothing.

With a roar, the heavens opened and light rained down. The Doctor looked up at the shining Bifrost with and spoke in a casual manner "here we are then".

As the Bifrost closed, the looming figure of Thor became visible, Mjlnor in hand and his red cape streaming behind him in the breeze.

Hogun rose from his seat and greeted the Asgardian.

"I have missed you my friend" Thor said heartily as he patted Hogun on the back. He then turned his attention to the Doctor, who had remained seated at the campfire.

"Well?" Thor said, "you have summoned me Time Lord?" He scanned the area with a frown, "I do not see your ship".

"Yes, well" the Doctor said tugging nervously on his collar, "Loki sort of...stole it".

Thor stared wide eyed at the Doctor "WHAT?!"

The Doctor stood up and raised his hands defensively "take it easy big fella".

"A time machine?!" Thor roared, "you gave Loki a time machine?!"

The Doctor turned to Hogun, if the warrior had any thoughts on this revelation, he didn't show it. "Eh listen buddy, do you mind giving us a moment?"

Hogun shot Thor an inquiring look and the Asgardian gave him a slight nod. The warrior bowed to his friend, glared at the Doctor and walked away.

The Doctor faced Thor again. "Stole" he corrected him, "Loki stole my time machine. But I have a plan to get it back".

Thor glowered at him "another one of your plans? Like the plan to turn Loki into a human? Like the plan to let him go free? Your plans have not yielded favourable results in the past".

The Doctor shook his head with a smile "you only see the battles Thor, just like your father. When it comes to Loki...I'm out to win the war".

Thor snorted "you always talk in riddles. Was it you who taught my brother to be so deceptive? Now that he has a time machine, he could do untold damage!"

"Possibly" the Doctor replied, "but I don't think he will. He knows the laws of time as well as I, and he knows he isn't above them. Nevertheless, I believe that Loki is in terrible danger and he may not even realise it".

Thor frowned. "What danger?"

"Didn't you just hear me?" the Doctor said impatiently, "terrible danger. Much worse than your garden variety danger. Now are you going to help me or not?"

The Thunder God gripped Mjlnor tightly "what is your plan?"

"I need the Tesseract" the Doctor told him.

"No" Thor said firmly.

"I only need it to power an item that a friend is currently procuring for me" the Doctor tried to persuade him, "after that it will never again leave the vault on Asgard, I promise".

Thor shook his head "infinity stones present far too great a danger to be used by anyone".

"I know" the Doctor murmured quietly, "I know they do. So you must see how dire things are if I am asking for one?"

Before Thor was able to answer, the Doctor gave a sharp cry and clutched his chest. He staggered forward, losing his balance as he did.

"Doctor!" Thor cried rushing forward to catch him. He sat the Doctor back down on the log. "I'm alright" the Doctor said, trying to wave Thor away, "I'm alright".

Thor looked at the pale, shaking Time Lord "Are you ill?"

"Not exactly" the Doctor shook his head, "it's more like... have you ever seen a dog whine and paw the ground before an earthquake? Some animals can sense disaster before it strikes. And this disaster...well I shouldn't be surprised if all Time Lords can sense it".

Thor looked grim "so there's more to this than Loki, isn't there?"

The Doctor nodded.

"Tell me then Doctor" Thor said quietly, "what are we facing?"

The Doctor looked at him soberly "untold damage".